A Woman Entrepreneur Who Does Crochet, Carvings & Crafts

It’s common to see male wood carvers, but have you ever heard of a woman who can carve, crochet, and create handicrafts? Today, we met forty-five-year-old Paulette Ottley at Fort George Artisan Alley. She makes a living doing all three forms of art. Ottley shared that her crochet skills have been her mainstay, providing her with a steady income. News Five’s Marion Ali brings you this week’s edition of Belize on Reel with a visit to Ottley’s booth. Here’s the report.

 

Marion Ali, Reporting

If you’ve ever strolled through the Fort George Artisan Alley near the Tourism Village, you’ve probably seen Paulette Ottley hard at work. Whether she’s weaving macrame, knitting crochet, stringing beaded jewelry, or sanding a new wood carving, she’s always busy perfecting her craft. Paulette has turned crochet into her lifelong occupation and main source of income, a skill she picked up at just eleven years old at All Saints Primary School. And it’s certainly paid off for her.

 

Paulette Ottley, Owner, Sweet P Crochet World

“We used to have Tuesday, Thursday sessions at All Saints Primary School and that’s where I learned it.”

 

Marion Ali

“So you’ve taken it with you through life?”

 

Paulette Ottley

“Yes ma’am, all my years I’ve been doing this for a living. This what sent my son to S.J.C.J.C. and I also own a three-bedroom house from it.”

 

Ottley used to sell her crafts from home, but in 2016, she decided to go public by renting a booth at Artisan Alley. Surprisingly, her biggest customers are fellow Belizeans.

 

Paulette Ottley

“When you have concerts and so on or tenth or 21^st, and my highest peak is Easter with the swimsuits and stuff because I do cover ups like this. I do two-piece bathing suits; I do wraps, I do different stuff. 0I do have local Belizeans that are my biggest supporters as well as tourists. Belizeans are my biggest supporters.”

 

But today, her biggest customer was a visitor from Mississippi. Mike Altom bought not one, but three jewelry sets to take home as gifts for his family.

Mike Altom, Tourist

“They were beautiful pieces. They’ll go with any kind of outfit that they want to wear.”

 

Marion Ali

“Your grandkids are into these types of jewelry?”

 

Mike Altom

“Well, I just got one that’s fourteen. The other two are daughters, so they’re on up in age, but they’ll like it. If they don’t. I’ll give it to my girlfriend, right?”

 

To gather materials for her beaded jewelry sets, Ottley travels all the way to Cancun. She’s a self-taught artisan who has developed her own unique style, creating each set with care for her appreciative customers. Ottley encourages young people to explore this trade, as it can be a therapeutic and rewarding way to make a living.

 

Paulette Ottley

“Girls and boys could do this because it is a unisexual job. It’s not only for females. I would encourage them to pick up the course. They would profit off it, because like I told you, I profit from off it. It’s very relaxing, for me it’s peace of mind.”

 

If you’re interested in any of Ottley’s unique pieces, feel free to reach out to her at 608-3136. Marion Ali for News Five.